Steel Beams Found by Laborer amid the World Trade Center in Shape of a Cross

Yahoo News | Oct. 3, and 4, 2001 | Photo/Kathy Willens, Pool and AP Photo/Ed Betz

[Teacup]

Workers at the World Trade Center disaster site look
up at a large illuminated cross near the
rubble of the collapsed buildings in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2001...

Firefighters, police, and construction workers join in a ceremony, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001, at Ground Zero in New York, blessing a cross of steel beams found by a laborer amid the World Trade Center debris two days after the twin tower collapsed. The cross was moved to its present location Wednesday.

Apparently of steel beams was found by a laborer amid the World Trade Center debris two days after the twin tower collapsed. The fire fighter have been very inspiried by this.

[Teacup]

I think they said it was called, Trinity, St. Paul. I searched for the story but have not found it. Today they are letting the resue workers to rest there and to seek medical care. The little cemetry is full of ashes.

[michigander]

An article about the cross(es): GROUND ZERO'S BLESSED CROSS
An article about the chapel: A Chapel Spared Stirs Talk of Miracle.

[father_elijah]

No the Greek Church was destroyed. The Chapel is St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel where George Washington used to worship. It was covered in ash and debris but was unharmed miraculously.

[lawgirl]

well the amazing thing is how it's proportioned exactly right--both arms of the cross seem to be the same length and in the right proportion to the main beam. Who says God couldn't do this as a little sign for the poor souls digging through the rubble? Sure he could!

[thefactor]

Couldn't have said it any better. The fact that there would be beams there is no surprise. But where the beams are cut are interesting in that they really do look like a "cross" in the religious sense. And it looks like it was found upright in the rubble. At least that one picture shows it sticking out. Anything that gives these men hope is worth it.

[Teacup]

I agree. If it gives these men and women hope to carry on. Let it be.

[father_elijah]

The Greek Orthodox Church that was destroyed was called St. Nicholas. The Roman Catholics of Bari, Italy are sending half a million dollars to help rebuild the little Orthodox Church. Bari is where St. Nicholas' earthly remains are said to rest.

[Duke809]

I'm afraid that the workers, especially the FDNY and the NYPD will be waking up screaming every night, having nightmares about this. Perhaps by blessing the cross, God will take extra care to watch over these men and women.

Not to knock anyones contribution during this, but I don't think this country has ever produced a braver, or honorable group of men than the FDNY.

[father_elijah]

I don't get the part of the blessing by the priest. Oh Catholic friends- what is the meaning/significance of blessing an item like that? (curious)

Once blessed by a priest, a cross may not be sold or used in any sort of commerce.

Once blessed by a priest these steel beams that form the shape of the cross are acknowledged and sanctified as the Sign of Christ's Cross in their midst.

The work of blessing by priests is especially important in places where great evil is felt or has been experienced.

The work of blessing brings the great and holy Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to a place much like raising our flag in the midst of the enemy's camp.

[lawgirl]

You know, I am just amazed that they let the firemen come and take out the bodies of their own--I mean, I understand about honor, etc etc, but what about mental anguish it's going to cause??? Pulling your buddies out of 100 million tons of rubble and they've been dead for 3 weeks? Talk about nightmares....

[Teacup]

Thanks for th links. I missed them. I'm glad to be able to read them now. Thanks Michigander.

[father_elijah]

Who says God couldn't do this as a little sign for the poor souls digging through the rubble? Sure he could!

A-men! It is just like God to do something like this to encourage those at Ground Zero and to encourage all believers.

[lawgirl]

wow! that is so cool and thanks for taking the time to educate me. I wonder what they'll do with this cross after the excavation work is done? I bet they put it into the memorial.

[Teacup]

These are very special persons. God Bless them all.

[Teacup]

I bet they put it into the memorial.

Correct me if I'm wrong. But I thought I heard MSNBC say they were gonna do that. father_elijah, thanks for that clarification. I did not know that either.

[CheneyChick]

Thanks for the ping, Teacup. I had not seen this. I really hope that this can be erected at the site as a monument. That is such an amazing picture of the way it is standing there in all that mess as a symbol of God's love - where His Son died for us all -the greatest Salvation Story of all times.

[lawgirl]

OH I bet you are right---and I don't watch PMSNBC so I didn't get that idea from them LOL!!!!

[CheneyChick]

"...The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." (1 John 3:8)

[Armando Guerra]

I would hope the cross becomes part of a memorial at the WTC site. Of course, the atheists would sue. (I am surpised that they haven't sued yet to have it removed.) Maybe, after the site is cleared, they can put it up at St. Paul's or St. Nicholas' so as to have a religious memorial without the government atheists complaining.

[ResistorSister]

How much can these people take?

Those people are the vanguard of what Americans must become again: Strong, trusting in a greater power, and having the resolve to get the job done - no matter how dirty it gets.